The UST Golden Spikers. PVL Media
MANILA -- University of Santo Tomas will get the chance to test its mettle against veteran opposition when it competes in the Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference starting Monday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
It's a rare opportunity for the Golden Spikers, who took the place of De La Salle University in the tournament after the Green Spikers withdrew due to academic commitments.
"Mas mataas po ang confidence namin kasi alam naming mas ahead sa amin 'yung mga makakatapat namin sa skills," said UST's JJ Macam, as they prepare for their first Spikers' Turf campaign in seven years.
"Eager kami kasi alam namin na kaya kaming talunin kapag nagre-relax kami. Kaya kailangan talaga naming mag-overload sa training araw-araw," he added.
Leading the charge for UST in its first Spikers' Turf campaign in seven years are superstar Josh Ybañez, Gboy De Vega, and 6-foot-5 opposite hitter Al-Bukharie Sali.
Head coach Odjie Mamon said the team's primary goal is to advance to the semifinals, where guest squads Kindai University of Japan and ProVolley Academy of Australia will enter the fray.
"Our goal is to be among the top four that make the semis," Mamon said. "Pupukpukin ko 'yung team para ibigay nila lahat. Rare opportunity ito – makasama sa semis pool at makaharap ang mga guest teams from Japan and Australia – so ilalaban ko talaga itong mga bata."
The eight local teams will play a single round-robin elimination phase, with the top four advancing to the semis.